The weekly sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1886-1887, 1887-01-27

which like its inmates, bore the i'm
press of cordial welcome, and of whole
souled, genuine Southern hospitality.
This beautiful home has been once
recalled in all its appointments ex-
cept the two lions, to my mental Wis
ion. During brief visit in lovely
New England city, I was by special
invitation present at Reception CIV
en- by one who has been called lone
of the noblest women in America"
There after an elapse Of more than
twenty years, / met two familiar faces
and there the the home of the Vivians
seemed for brief space. to be almost
duplicated And the wonderful re-
semblence between the face of my be-
loved friend and that of the elegant
hostess of "Armsmear" was so striking
that longed to ask " if she knew, or
was related to the Vivians," but the
question remained unasked. And I
may never again in all probability be-
hold in this world that graceful, REIN
ed, and gracious presence. But the
good that she has done, the happiness
that she has created, will shed its light
and sweetness over years to come, like
the halo from a vestal star, and the
perfume from the flowers that seemed
to open their petals and breathe forth
their fragrance at her approach.
But pardon this depression dear
reader, and go back with me to Ra-
venswood," where was cordially re-
ceived by the three members Of the
household who were at home namely
Mrs. Vivian, the General, and and
elderly lady whom I had not seen be-
fore, but who lived most of the time
at " Ravens wood" her own kindred
having all passed away, and her home
now being in the hearts and house
hold of such kind and generous friends
as those who now introduced her as
6" Miss Priscilla Watkins" She gave
me her hand very graciously, called
me my DEAR" and seemed to feel it
her duty to assist in doing the honors
OF the house.
She very soon invited me to a walk
over the grounds" which I gladly &C
cepted, yet I fancied that she was a
little disappointed when both Mrs.
Viviand and Earnest, who had come
rushing in, proposed to join us-nuch
to my own delight as prosy talk with
Miss Priscilla" was not exactly what
l most desired in my present condi-
ton of mind and affairs, though after
all, she proved to be very kind,
communicative and useful.
[ began to fear however that I
would have no opportunity of asking
advice of Mrs. Vivian, and she GER
tain.y had no idea of the great need
that had of it. She had evidently
invited me for the sake of giving plea
sure and brief recreation to the lone
ly stranger, and the daughter of an
old and valued friend, and [ did not
know how / could ever introduce the
subject that lay so heavily on my
own heart, even if [ had the oppotun-
ity.
But Miss Priscilla was the one who
opened the way for me. She propos-
posed after dinner, (Which was served
at the old fashioned and healthy hour
of one o'clock,) that we should in
spect the family portraits in the Ii
brary, the General having gone to
take an afternoon nap, and Earnest to
the station " to meet his brother
Charlie who was expected home from
some recent trip. Mrs, Vivian ac-
companied us to the Library and af-
ter looking at the pictures in which
Miss Priscilla D." after all did not
seem to take so very great interest
she suddenly blurted out.
Now my dear Miss Rembert, do
tell US how you are getting on at that
gloomy place, and if you have seen
that poor crazy step-child of the Bar
ron's 7"
ep-child,w 1 exclaimed,
thought she aUas their oaUn." Yet I had
wondered their was not a trace of re-
resemblance to either of the supposed
parents, and in the brief interview
with the " father I had scarcely no.
ticed that his hair was light, and his
eyes blue, more like those of the little
Lula.
But the subject being thus opened
l went on to say
81 haze seen the poor child. AND
Mrs. Vivian, have so longed to ash
your advive. I am afraid that have
undertaken service that 1 am al.
together untitled for, and that [ shall
hardly be able to perform" Then
told her of Pauline's absence, and thu
close attendance required of mysel
upon the supposed " invalid" Ano
of my great pity and sympathy fol
her, but I withheld the episode of thu
midnight visit, and her violence, from
which l had made so narrow an e.
cape.